Snowflake Festival organizers have moved the annual Christmas light-up day into November with the big event to be held this Friday in downtown St. Albert.
“We’ve moved the festival into November and we also moved the traditional day to Friday to allow families with small children to attend and perhaps stay up a little later than they would have on a Thursday evening,” said Lynda Moffat, president of the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce.
At 6:30 p.m. the lights on the big spruce tree in front of the Community Hall will be switched on to mark the beginning of the festive season in St. Albert.
The front of the hall will also be decorated with an ice sculpture and inside families will find Santa at the St. Albert North Pole.
“Santa will have gift bags for the children. There will also be a cookie-decorating station inside the hall,” Moffat said.
New this year is the ongoing shinny hockey game, which will be located on Perron close to St. Thomas Street.
“Servus Credit Union Place is sponsoring the hockey. They will have hockey sticks and pucks and everyone, of all ages, is invited to join in,” Moffat said.
The ever-popular horse and buggy rides will be located on St. Thomas Street and this year there will be a total of six wagons.
The Fill-A-Bus charity organized by St. Albert Transit drivers will be located along Perron Street and although all Friday events are free, everyone is encouraged to bring a gift of food or a toy to be given to the less fortunate.
St. Albert Place will be another hub of activity. Families can try their hand at making crafts or they can pop into the library, sit under the tree and hear some stories. Outside city hall Reign of Fire will perform and in the museum there will be an exhibit of photographs shot by local youths.
Food vendors will be located at various spots along the way and the St. Albert Singers Guild will entertain as they stroll along St. Anne, St. Thomas and Perron streets.
The Snowflake Festival takes place Friday, Nov. 25 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
“This is the third year the chamber has sponsored this event and it is bigger than ever. We’re hoping to make it even bigger in the future and by next year make it an all-weekend long event,” Moffat said.
